APPLICATIONS

APPLICATIONS OF INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY IN SPORTS SCIENCE, MEDICINE AND PHYSIOTHERAPY

Injury Monitoring

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

American Football player who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (LCA) injury in the right knee while changing direction. The thermogram shown was done 4 months after the operation, just after a relapse. It shows a clear asymmetry in the right knee which is confirmed with quantitative ThermoHuman analysis (avatar and graph) which quantifies said asymmetry at 0.6ºC.

The graph shows the evolution of the thermal asymmetries over time. The aim is to reduce this asymmetry to values close to those prior to the injury or the inexistence of the asymmetry. This case is a clear example of monitoring of an injury until recovery.

Injury Prevention

Hamstring Injury

Viewing the thermogram allows us to make an initial qualitative analysis from which we can conclude that there is a higher temperature in the right rear thigh. After a qualitative analysis, the avatar confirms an asymmetry of just over 0.3ºC.

Finally, the graph shows the progressive increase of the asymmetry in that part of the body. This increase should be taken into account by the physical trainer of the military corps due to the risk of injury and which could be avoided by modifying the soldier’s training in subsequent sessions.

Initial Assessment

Blood flow problems

User of a Wellness Center who received an initial evaluation in their first session to find out their thermal profile. A significant asymmetry was detected in their right knee which corresponds to a vascular problem which will be taken into account in subsequent evaluations.

Load assimilation

Back overload

A swimmer with discomfort and a strained feeling in the right side of the back, with no pain. On a quantitative level, a moderate asymmetry was observed which should be controlled to prevent the strain from increasing. Precautions should be followed carefully to prevent the athlete missing training days.